Musical instrument construction



Feb. 24, 1953 5. A. FINDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONSTRUCTION OriginalFiled July 15, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 24, 1953 a, A. FINDER Re.23,620

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONSTRUCTION C Original Filed July 15, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 24, 1953 G. A. FINDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTCONSTRUCTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed July 15 1950 EUeZZZOW" deo'geflfi'zzder: fig fwd mlwuzri Reissued Feb. 24, 1953 MUSICAL INSTRUMENTCONSTRUCTION George A. Finder, San Diego, Calif., alsignor to Fin-derInc., San Diego, Calif., a corporation of California Original No.2,588,101, dated March 4. 1952, Se-

rial No. 174,095, July 15, 1950. Application for reissue July 28, 1952,Serial No. 306,520

Matter enclosed in heavy brackets 1 appears in the original patent butforms no part of this reissue specification: matter printed in italicsindicates the additions made by reissue.

18 Claims.

My invention relates to a musical instrument construction, moreparticularly to the construction of stringed musical instruments. andthe obiects of my invention are:

First, to provide a musical instrument construction which promotesiniection molding of various musical instruments of plastic material;

Second, to provide a musical instrument construction in which a,complete stringed musical v very great temperature variations;

Fifth, to provide a musical instrument construction of this class havingnovel top and integral bridge construction for holding the strings ofthe musical instrument;

Sixth, to provide a musical instrument construction of this class havinga novel key-holding structure in the head thereof;

Seventh, to provide a musical instrument construction of this classhaving novel reinforcing structure cast therein which permits theinstrument to be very light in weight in proportion to its strength;

Eighth, to provide a musical instrument construction of this class inwhich the neck is integral with the body and the fingerboard is integralwith the top, providing a, structure which is very easy to assemble,promoting economy of manufacture;

Ninth, to provide a musical instrument construction of this class inwhich the musical instrument is substantially completed by the assemblyof two castings, having novel indexing flanges which provide accurateinterengagement of the two castings, which greatly facilitates theassembly thereof: and,

Tenth, to provide a musical instrument construction of this class whichis very simple and economical, efllcient, durable, and which will notreadily deteriorate or get out of order.

With these and other objects in view, as will appear hereinafter, myinvention consists of certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will behereinafter described in detail and particu larly set forth in theappended claimareference being had to the accompanying drawings and tothe characters of reference thereon, forming a part of this application,in which:

Figure 1 is a top or plan view of a musical instrument, moreparticularly a ukulele, incorporating my musical instrumentconstruction;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view there- 0!, taken from the line2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmenary sectional view, taken from the line8-4 of Figure 1; v

Figure 4 is a top or plan view of the lower aody casting of my musicalinstrument construc- Figure 5 is a bottom plan view of the upper top andringer board casting of my musical instrument construction;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken from the line8-6 of Figure 4;

Figure 'l is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken from the lineI| of Figure 4;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken from the line8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken from the line 8-8 ofFigure 8; [and] Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view,taken from the line il-ll of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the top of my instrumentshowing on an eroggerated scale by dotted line the distorted position ittends to assume when subjected to tension by the strings mountedthereon;.

Figure 12 is d-plon view of the device, with the area defined by dottedlines tending to assume a concave shape when the top of the instrumentis subjected to the tension of the strings thereof;

Figure 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the instrument taken onthe line 1313 of Figure 12, showing the position in dotted lines whichthe top and side walls tend to assume when the strings of the instrumentare under tension;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary plan view of the neck portion of theinstrument showing the transverse reinforcing used to prevent torsionaltwist thereof as the strings are subjected to tension in sequence; and.1

Figure 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the neck of theinstrument taken on the line 15-15 of Figure 14 showing by dotted linethe position the neck tends to assume when the strings thereon are underunequal tension.

As is well known in the art, when a stretched string under propertension-is vibrated it will produce a musical tone, and the volume ofthe mustcal tone so produced isin direct ratio to the vol- 3 ume orquantity of air set in motion by the string vibration. As the area of avibrating string is relatively small, it will be apparent that a stringalone is not an emcient sound producer. Consequentlu. for a vibratingstring to produce a musical tone of any volume it is necessary that itbe combined with a sounding board, preferably in combination with ahollow ported body.

In the ukulele, which is a small version of a guitar, the musical toneproduced by a vibrating string is amplified by the use of both asounding board and a hollow ported body. In the ukulele construction thestring vibrations are transmitted by means of a combination bridge andtail piece to the top of the body, and the body cavity is coupled to theoutside air through an opening which serves as a resonator.

For a stringed instrument such as a guitar or ukulele to produce thehigher truer musical tones, it is essential that the body top thereof beof minimum weight and thickness whereby it will vibrate in unison withthe instrument strings in order to produce such tones. However, it isequally important that the top and body of the instrument be of such aconstruction that there is no appreciable deformation thereof when thestrings are subjected to tension or when the tension is varied thereon,for otherwise it is diglcult, if not impossible, to accurately tune theinstrument. My invention provides a stringed instrument constructionwhich accurately reproduces the higher, truer musical tones by vibrationof the strings thereof, and one which has no appreciable body distortionwhen the strings are subiected to tension.

[Similar characters of reference refer to similar parts and portionsthroughout several views of the drawings] In my musical instrumentconstruction, I have provided two separate castings, which arepreferably made by the injection molding process, and of plasticmaterial. One of the castings, as shown in Figure 4 of the drawings,incorporates the musical instrument body I, having an integral arcuatein cross-section neck 2, which includes a key-supporting head portion 3.The other casting, shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, incorporates a top4. having an integral finger board portion 5, and cover portion 6,provided with projecting key-receiving bosses I, which are integraltherewith. Spaced from the outer outline edge portions of the topcasting I are angular flange portions 8, shown in detail in Figure ofthe drawings, which engage the internal side wall portions I of the bodyI, greatly facilitating the assembly of the castings I and 4, andstrengthening the structural connection thereof.

It will be noted that the spacing of the angular flange I from the outeredge ll of the top casting 4. as shown in Figure 10 of the drawings, isequal to the thickness of the side wall II of the bodycastingI.a1lasshownbestinFigure 10 of the drawings. It will be noted that thetop castin; l and body casting I are assembled by providing a coating ofsolvent cement adjacent the flange I, so that after assembly thecastings I and 0 become substantially'integral. The assembly of thecastings I and I is therefore very simple, and requires only theplacement of the cement on the outer side of the flange lpreliminarytotheflttingofthetopcastinglontothe bodycastingI,shownindetailinF1sure10of the drawings. During the assembly of the topcasting 4 with the body casting I, solvent cementisplacedontheendsofthebosses'lwh vhfibll the head portion 8 of the bodycasting I, shown best in Figure 3 of the drawing. Thus, the bosses 1 areadhered to the head portion 8, as shown in Figure 3 of the drawings,then the bushing II is pressed into the opening It in the head portion3. and forced into the boss "I. A metal eyelet I4 is pressed into theopening II in the boss I, and the key holding structure is complete.

Reference is made to my Oil-pending application for String Holding Keyfor Musical Instruments, Serial No. 155,031, filed April 10, 1950, nowmatured into U. S. Patent No. 2.583.478, dated January 22, 1952, whichdiscloses the,details of the keys I6 and bushings II in relationshipto'the head of a musical instrument.

The neck portion 2 of the body casting I, as shown in Figures 4 and 6of. the drawings. is arcuate in cross-section and is provided with aplurality of longitudinal stiffener: II, which are integral with theneck portion 2 and with the chord-shaped transverse stlifeners II.providing rigidity of the neck portion 2 of the body casting I. It willbe noted that the middle longitudinal stiflener I'I extends to the bodyportion of the body casting I, and is integral with a transversepartition l6, which is disposed at the transition between the neckportion 2 and the body portion of the body casting I. This middlereinforcing portion I'I extends beyond said partition I8, as shown inFigure 2 of the drawings. and is integral with the bottom ll of the bodycasting I, shown best in Figure 2 of the drawings. It will be noted thatthis reinforcing portion I'I provides rigidity of the neck 2 forsupporting strings under tension on the musical instrument.

In the body casting I, integral with the bottom Ill thereof, andextending the full length of the bottom I, is a reinforcing rib 20,which is in alignment with the reinforcing rib I1 and transversely ofthis reinforcing rib 20 are the reinforcing ribs II and It, all of whichserves to stiffen the back II of thebodymember I.

Thetopcastingl,asshownin1igure5ofthe drawings, is provided with aplurality of reinforcing ribs which extend laterally of the longitudinalaxis of the top casting I, at opposite sides of the sound hole 24, andinterconnecting these ribs 23 are secondary reinforcing ribs 2| atopposite sides of the sound hole fl, at an acute angle to thelongitudinal axis of the top casting l. Surrounding the sound hole It isa reinforcing rib II, which is annular. as shown best in Figures 2 and 5of the drawings. The top casting l is provided with an integralstringholding bridge 21, shown in Figure 2 of the drawings in section,and in detail in Figures 8 and 9. This string-holding bridge issubstantially channel-shaped in cross-section and is integral with thetop casting I. and is provided with stringsupporting slots II, whichextend through the normally upper portion thereof and through the rearside wall of said channel-shaped in cross-' section bridge 21. Theseslots II are each provided with accurately graduated finger-board fretsIt. which are integral therewith and raised above the upper surface IIof the top castin I. At the extreme end of the finger-board oi the neckportion I is an integral nut 34, over which the strings pass in angularrelationship to the keys il' As shown in Figure 4 of the drawings, andin detail in Figure 7, the body casting side wall portions are providedwith reinforcing ribs II, which are integral with the side walls ii andthe back II, for stiflening the construction of the body casting l atthe transition otsaid side walls Ii and back it.

The operation of my musical instrument construction is substantially asiollows:

When the top casting 4 has been cemented to the body casting I, ashereinbetore described, and when the keys "are in place as shown inFigures 1, 2 and 3 01' the .drawings, the strings as may be providedwith knotted portions near their ends, which may be inserted through theenlarged openings It in the bridge 21, then the strings may be pulledover the bar II and the nut 34 to a position in connected relationshipwith the keys I, whereupon they may be tightened to the proper pitch.When the stresses in the strings I. reach the desired value to providetone pitch,

the various reinforcing ribs within the body casting I and top casting lresist deflection of the neckof the musical instrument relative to thebody thereof in a manner to be fully set forth hereinafter.

The arcuate cross-section neck portion 2 of the body member I providesstructural strength in its integral cemented relationship with thefinger-board neck portion I of the top casting l. The flange l, as shownin Figure 10, which extends completely around the outline of theinstrument, provides additional stiffening therefor. and the integralconstruction provided by the solvent cement connecting the bod casting iand top casting 4 renders the instrument very strong and of a unitaryresonant character.

The stresses set up in the instrument of my invention when tension onthe strings is varied or is applied thereto in the tuning of theinstrument, are somewhat complex. First, there is a primary tendency forthe instrument to deform along substantially the entire length of theiongitudinal axis thereof, and assume a bow shape relative to thestrings 30. Several secondary deformations also tend to occur in theinstrument concurrently with said primary deformation.

As may be seen in Figure 1, the keys 16 are not disposed on thelongitudinal axis of the ukulele, and as a result when tension isapplied or varied in any way on separate strings 30, an unbalanced forcecondition exists that tends to cause rotation of the neck 2 dnd keyboard5 about their longitudinal axis from the position shown in solid linesto that illustrated by dotted lines in Figure 15. Also when strings areunder tension a secondary distortion tends to occur in that portion ofthe top 4 of the instrument disposed between the bridge 27 and soundhole 24. The strings 30 under tension tend to pivot the transverselydisposed bridge 27 on its upper longitudinal junction with the top 4toward the sound hole 24, with the portion 4a of the instrument topseeking to move upwardly (see Figure 11), and the top portion 4b beingurged to assume the concave position shown by dotted lines. Thissecondary concave position which the top portion lb tends to assume isdefined by dotted lines in Figure 12.

The novel structure of my invention as previously described in detail,enables the instrument to successfully resist both such primary andsecondary tendencies to deform as outlined above, as well as others thatmay be present when the strings are subjected to tension.

The particular structure I employ a body 1, neck 2, top 4, and keyboard5, all cooperate to prevent the pr ma y tendency of the instrument toassume a concave shape due to string tension. Relative movement betweenthese parts is prevented due to the fact that the bosses 7 adhere tothe'head 3, bushings 13 transversely engage both the bosses and head,and flanges 8 engage the interior of both the neck 2 and side walls 11.Any tendency of the instrument to bucklein a concave manner is avoidedas the top 4 and keyboard 5 are subjected to longitudinal compression.The neck 2 is aillred to side wall portion 36, as may be seen in Figure2, and the torsional forces exerted by strings 30 tend to pivot the neckin a counterclockwise direction. It will be particularly noted that thestresses to which side wall 36 may be subjected are successfullyresisted by the longest of tse stifl'eners 17. The portion of stiflener17 within the confines of body 1 is under compression when theinstrument is subjected to string tension, preventing any pivotalmovement of side wall 36.

Appreciable deformation of the neck 2 is resisted by the keyboard 5 andthe longer of the stifleners 17 when they areunder compression. Thepossibility of the head 3 and neck 2 appreciably altering their normalpositions relative to one another when the instrument is under tenrim isavoided by the cooperative action of the three stifleners 17 and thekeyboard 5. The possibility of head 3 or neck 2 twisting along theirlongitudinal axes as shown in dotted lines in Figure 15, is prevented bythe concerted resistance of stifleners 17, side wall 36, and rib top 18.

The particular construction of my bridge 27 is of the utmost importance,as first, it permits the top and bridge to be made as an integral unit,eliminating rattling or buzzing due to vibration; second, it provides aneasy and convenient means for ama'ing the knotted ends of the strings tothe.

instrument; and third, it assists in reinforcing the top 4 againstdistortion when subjected to string tension.

In Figures 11, 12 and 13, the positions the top 4 and side wall 11 tendto assume when subje'cted to the force of strings 30 is shown in dot tedlines. However, the top portions 4a and 4b adjacent the bridge areprevented from being so displaced due to the channel-shapedcross-section of the bridge which provides a stifiening action. Inaddition, it will be noted that the flanges 8 cooperate with thetransversely disposed bridge 27 to prevent deformation of the topportions 4a and 4b. As shown in Figure 10, flanges 8 are disposed withinthe confines of side walls 10. For there to be any appreciable downwardmovement of the top portion 4b, flanges 8 must pivot outwardly as shownin Figure 13, but such outward movement is prevented by the flangesbeing disposed within the confines of the side walls and bonded thereto.Thus, due to the stiffening action of bridge 27 and flanges 8, the top 4cannot appreciably distort when tension is applied to strings 30.

As a precautionary measure against deformation of top 4, I have found itdesirable to use the saeao reinforcing ribs 23, 24, 25 and 26 shown inFiaure 5.

The playing oi my musical instrument construction, as shown in Figures 1and 2 the drawings, is conventional, and it will be here noted that thehollow neck of the instrument provided by the arcuate cross-section neckportion 2 of the body casting l promotes proper balance of theinstrument during playing, and thereby provides a certain ease oi.handling of the instrument by the left hand during the lingering oi thestrings on the frets 32, shown best in Figure 2 oi the drawings.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combinationand arrangement of parts and portions, I do not wish to be limited tothis particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire toinclude in the scope of my invention the construction, combination andarrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention. what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a musical instrument construction. a body casting having anarcuate in cross-section neck integral therewith and a top castingprovided with an integral finger-board thereon, hava ing a flangeengageable with the inner side wall of said body casting cemented tosaid inner side wall, said neck portion and said finger-board portionhaving head portions integral therewith abutting each other, saidfinger-board portion, at its head portion, provided with lugs abutti thehead portion of said neck portion of said dy casting and adheredthereto.

2. In a musical instrument construction, a body casting having anarcuate in cross-section neck integral therewith, and a top casting provided with an integral finger-board thereon. having a flange engageablewith the inner side wall of said body casting cemented to said innerside wall, said top casting provided with an integral channel-shaped incross-section bridge portion, having a plurality of slots therein,having enlarged opening portions at the rear oi said channel-shaped incross-section bridge portion, said neck portion of said body castinghaving longitudinal stifleners therein, one of said stiffeners extendinginto and integral with the body portion of said body casting.

[3. In a musical instrument construction, a plastic body casting havingan arcuate in crosssection neck portion, a body back portion andintegral side wall portions, a top casting having an angular flangespaced from the outer edges thereof, engageable with the inner side wallof said body casting and adhered to said inner side wall, said topcasting having a finger-board portion integral therewith adhered to saidarcuate in cross-section neck portion of said body casting. saidfinger-board and said neck portion provided with head portionsadapted'to receive keys] In a musical instrument construction, a plasticbody casting having an arcuate in crosssection neck portion, a body backportion and integral side wall portions, a top casting having an angularflange spaced from the outer edges thereof, engageable with the innerside wall of said body casting and adhered to said inner side wall, saidtop casting, having a finger-board portion integral therewith adhered tosaid arcuate in cross-section neck portion of said body castme. saidfinger-board and said neck portion provided with head portions adaptedto receive keys,

boss portions integral with one oi said head portions and adhered to theother of said head portions.

5. In a musical instrument construction, a plastic body casting havingan arcuate in crosssection neck portion, a body back portion andintegral side wall portions, a top casting having an angular flangespaced from the outer edges thereof, engageable with the inner side wallof said body casting and adhered to said inner side wall, said topcasting having a finger-board portion integral therewith adhered to saidarcuate in cross-section neck portion of said body casting, saidfinger-board and said neck portion provided with head portions adaptedto receive keys, boss portions integral with one of said head portionsand adhered to the other of said head portions, longitudinal andtransverse reinforcing ribs integral with the back portion of said bodycasting, said top casting provided with a sound hole therein, havingreinforcing ribs therearound.

6. In a musical instrument construction, a plastic body casting havingan arcuate in crosssection neck portion, a body back portion andintegral side wall portions, a top casting having an angular flangespaced from the outer edges thereof, engageable with the inner side wallof said body casting and adhered to said inner side wall, said topcasting having a finger-board portion integral therewith adhered to saidarcuate in cross-section neck portion of said body casting, saidfinger-board and said neck portion provided with head portions adaptedto receive keys. boss portions integral with one of said head portionsand adhered to the other of said head portions, longitudinal andtransverse reinforcing ribs integral with the back portion of said bodycasting, said top casting provided with a sound hole therein, havingreinforcing ribs therearound, said top casting provided with transversereinforcing ribs adjacent said sound hole.

7. In a musical instrument construction, a cast instrument top having anintegral normally inverted channel-shaped in cross-section bridgethereon, provided with string-receiving slots in one normally verticalside wall thereof communicating with the inner side of said top, saidslots having enlarged open portions near said instrument top forreceiving string knots.

8. In a musical instrument construction, a cast instrument top having anintegral normally inverted channel-shaped in cross-section bridgethereon, provided with string-receiving slots in one normally verticalsidewall thereof communicating with the inner side of said top, saidslots having enlarged open portions near instrument top for receivingstring knots, said channelshaped in cross-section bridge having a bar atthe normally upper side thereof integral therewith, spaced from saidslots, over which said strings may be engaged.

9. In a musical instrument construction, a musical instrument neck head,comprising a pair of spaced head portions adhered to each other. one ofsaid head portions having integral hollow bosses abutted and adhered tothe other of said head portions, metal bushings extending through saidhollow bosses, and keys revolubly mounted in said bushings.

10. In a musical instrument construction, a body casting having anarcuate in cross-section neck integral therewith and a top castingprovided with a finger-board thereon having a flange engageable with theinner side wall of said body casting cemented to said inner side wall,said cacao body casting having a back portion and side wall portions andreinforcing ribs at the transition oi said back portion and said sidewall portions for reinforcing the same.

11. In a musical instrument construction, a body casting having anarcuate in cross-section neck integral therewith and atop castingprovided with a finger-board thereon, having a flange engageabie withthe inner side wall of said body casting cemented to said inner sidewell, said body casting having a back portion and side wall portions andreinforcing ribs at the transition or said back portion and said sidewail portions tor reinforcing the same, said ribs integral with saidback portion and said side wall portions.

12. In a musical instrument construction, a body casting having anintegral neck portion, and a top casting provided with an integralfinger-board fixed to said body casting, said neck portion and saidfinger-board portion provided with head portions contiguously fixed toeach other, one 01 said head portions provided with integral bossportions adhered. to the other of said head portions, said portionshaving openings extending therethrough, and keys in said openings.

13. In a musical instrument construction: a cast instrument top formedwith a sound hole therein; a first downwardly extending flange formed asan integral part of said top and disposed inwardly from the other edgesthereof; a second flange formed as an integral part of said top anddefining said sound hole; and a bridge of inverted channel-shapedcross-section that is provided with string-receiving slots, with saidbridge formed as an integral part of said top, and said bridge and firstand second flanges cooper- Rating to minimize distortion of said topwhen said strings enga ing said slots are under. tension.

14. In a musical instrument construction: a hollow body casting thatincludes a bottom from which an integral continuous side wall extendsupwardly; a neck of arcuate cross-section formed integral with said bodyand extending outwardly from said side wall; and two oppositely disposedstiffeners that reinforce said neck and body against longitudinaldeformation, said stiffeners made integral with said side wall at theportion thereof from which said neck extends, with one of saidstifleners extending into the confines of said body and rigidly joinedto said bottom, and the Other of said stiffener-s extending into saidneck and rigidly joined to the interior surface thereof.

15. In a musical instrument construction, a hollow body casting having abottom from which a continuous side wall extends upwardly, an arcuate incross section neck formed integral with said body and extendingoutwardly from said side wall, a stiflener formed integral with saidside wall and extending into the confines of said body and neck toreinforce said instrument against longitudinal distortion, a head madeintegral with said neck and disposed on the extremity thereof, said headhaving a plurality of spaced bores formed therein in which keys may bemovably supported, a second longitudinally extending stiffener formedintegral with said neck and head to reinforce said neck and head againstlongitudinal distortion, and a transversely disposed stilTener formed onthe interior surface of said neck toireinforce same from twisting on itslongitudinal 16 In a musical instrument construction, a

hollow body casting having a bottom from which a continuous side wallextends upwardly, an arcuate in cross section neck formed integral withsaid side wall and extending outwardly therefrom,

a first stiffener means formed integral with said side wall andextending into the confines of said body and neck to reinforce saidinstrument against longitudinal distortion, and a head made integralwith said neck and disposed at theextremity thereof, said head having aplurality of spaced bores formed therein in which keys may be revolublysupported, a second stifiening means formed integral with said neck andhead to reinforce said neck and head against longitudinal distortion,and a third stifl'ening means formed integral with said neck toreinforce said neck from twisting on its longitudinal axis.

17. In a musical instrument construction: a cast instrument top fromwhich an integrally formed keyboard extends; downwardly extending flangemeans formed as an integral part of said top and keyboard; a bridge ofangular cross-section provided with string-receiving slots, said bridgeformed as an integral part of said top; a hollow body casting thatincludes a bottom from which an integral continuous side wall extendsupwardly; a neck of arcuate cross-section formed integral with said bodyand extending outwardl: from said side wall; two oppositely disposedribs formed integral with said side wall at the portion thereof fromwhich said neck extends, with one of said ribs extending into theconfines of said body and rigidly joined to said bottom, and the otherof said ribs extending into said neck and rigidly joined to the interiorsurface thereof; and a plurality of keys rotatably supported on theoutwardly disposed portions of said neck and keyboard which strings mayextend to said bridge when said flange means engage the upper surfaceportions of said body and neck, with said flange means, said bridge andsaid ribs cooperating to prevent distortion of said instrument when saidstrings are placed under tension.

18. In a stringed musical instrument construction: a cast instrument tophaving an integral inverted channel shaped in cross section bridgethereon, said bridge provided with stringreceiving slots therein havingopenings in communication therewith for receiving the knotted ends ofstrings; a bar extending substantially the longitudinal length of saidbridge and disposed on the top thereof, said bar engaged by each of saidstrings, the knotted ends of which are disposed in said openings, andsaid bar and bridge serving to couple said strings when vibrating tosaid top and reinforce the portions of said top adjacent said bridgeagainst appreciable distortion when said bridge is subjected to thetension of said strings; a keyboard extending outwardly from said topand formed as an integral part thereof; a head portio formed integralwith said keyboard and disposed at the extremity thereof, said headportion formed with bores therein in which keys may be rotatablymounted; flange means formed integral with said top, keyboard and headportion extending downwardly therefrom; and a lower instrument portionthat in-' cludes a bottom from which continuous side walls extendupwardly; a neck of arcuate cross section formed integral with saidlower instrument portion and extending outwardly from said side wall; astiflener formed integral with said side wall and extending into theconfines of said neck and connected to said bottom for reinforcingpurposes; and a head portion formed integral struction: a castinstrument top having an integrul inverted channel shaped in crosssection bridge thereon, said bridge provided with string receiving slotstherein having openings in communication therewith for receiving theknotted ends of strings; and an upwardly extending bar formed integralwith said bridge and disposed along the upper longitudinally extendingportion thereof. said bar engaged by each of said strings, the knottedends of which engagesaid openings, and said bar and bridge serving tocouple said strings when vibrating to said top and reinforce the portionof said top adjacent said bridge against appreciable distortion whensaid bridge is subiected to the tension of said strings.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent or the original patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 431,722 Kopp July 8, 1890 601,071Borcur Mar. 22, 1898 629,374 Kindig July 25, 1899 1,170,999 Schultz Feb.8, 1916 1,636,133 Horton July 19, 1927 1,668,832 Swanson May 8, 19281,834,804 Puoina Dec. 1, 1931 1,881,229 Young Oct. 4, 1932 2,186,424Moertel Jan. 9, 1940 2,597,154 Maccaterri May 20, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTSNumber Country Date 49,788 Germany Nov. 26, 1940 OTHER REFERENCES"Acrylic Resins Find Industrial Applications." Chemical andMetallurgical Engineering, Sep- GEORGE A, FINDER, u tember 1937, vol.44, No. 9, pages 468-471.

